Specialist Victims Register

Victims can apply to be on the Specialist Victims Register to receive information about certain changes concerning a forensic patient and their reviews before the Mental Health Review Tribunal.  

Who can apply to be on the Register?

You can apply to be added to the Specialist Victims Register if you are a primary victim or a family victim of a violent crime committed by someone who has either been:

• found ‘act proven but not criminally responsible’ for an offence, or 
• found ‘unfit not acquitted’ and given a limiting term at a special hearing.

What support can I get if I am on the Register?

If you are registered on the Specialist Victims Register, you will be told about:

• dates, times and locations of Mental Health Review Tribunal review hearings for the forensic patient
• if the forensic patient applies for a review outside of regular review hearings
• orders that the forensic patient, legal representative or treating team is seeking
• outcomes of review hearings
• if the forensic patient appeals against Tribunal decisions
• if the forensic patient applies for leave or release
• any known safety concerns or breach of orders by the forensic patient
• if the forensic patient is no longer a forensic patient
• if the Tribunal orders to apprehend and detain a forensic patient for breaching leave or release conditions 
• general reasons for decisions about leave or release.

The Specialist Victims Support Service will also facilitate communication between a registered victim and the Mental Health Review Tribunal, assist a registered victim to prepare information to present to the Tribunal, and attend hearings with or on behalf of a registered victim.

How do I apply to be on the Register?

To be added to the Specialist Victims Register, complete the registration form online or download a PDF version:

• Online: Specialist Victims Register registration 
• PDF: Specialist Victims Register registration 

You will need to provide a clear copy or image of your current government-issued identification with your application, such as a driver licence or passport. 

There is no time limit to apply to go on the register. 

If you’re seeking counselling, financial assistance or a recognition payment through the Victim Support Scheme, please visit the Victims Support Scheme page.  

Can I change the information I receive?

If you would like to stay on the Register but do not want to receive notifications about Tribunal hearings or the forensic patient, you can email or write to the Specialist Victims Support Service to update your notification preferences. 

Can I be removed from the Register?

You can request to be removed from the Register at any time by emailing or writing to the Specialist Victims Support Service. 

Requests must be made in writing and sent to the Specialist Victims Support Service by email or post:

• email: svss@dcj.nsw.gov.au
• post:
  Specialist Victims Support Service
  Victims Services
  Department of Communities and Justice
  Locked Bag 5118
  Parramatta NSW 2124

You will also be removed from the Register when the forensic patient is no longer a forensic patient. 

How do I make a submission to the Tribunal?

Registered victims can make a submission to the Mental Health Review Tribunal by completing the Victims Submissions form. This can be done when the Tribunal is considering the possible release or granting of leave to the forensic patient, or at any subsequent review hearing where leave is a feature of the proposed order.

Can I nominate a representative?

If you are a registered victim, you can nominate someone to act on your behalf and receive correspondence. To nominate a representative, complete the online or PDF form and send it to us by email or post:

• Online: SVSS Representative nomination form
  
• PDF: SVSS Representative nomination form 
  

If you would like your nominated representative to attend a Mental Health Review Tribunal Hearing to represent you, they must complete a Statutory Declaration and email or mail the completed form to the Specialist Victims Support Service before the hearing.  Alternatively, you can send the completed Statutory Declaration directly to the Mental Health Review Tribunal.